As promised and in continuation of yesterday’s article, here are 9 MORE x-mas week fat loss strategies to help you stave off unwanted weight this week!
Strategy #9: Go Non-Alcoholic
Don’t get me wrong, I like to have a few beers or a glass of wine from time to time, so I’m not going to tell you to completely give up alcohol throughout the holidays.
But, what I will suggest is that the majority of your beverages at holiday get-togethers be of the non-alcoholic variety.
Simply put, alcoholic beverages are perhaps the easiest way to add unnecessary calories to your daily total, and unfortunately, it doesn’t end with just the calorie total.
Excessive alcohol intake also creates a hormonal environment in the body very conducive to fat storage, making those calories much more likely to negatively impact the number that shows next time you step on the scale.
So, what’s “excessive” or “how much is too much”. Well, I think we all know that. If you’re regularly getting “tipsy” or drinking to the point of intoxication, then you’re physique is going to take a hit for it.
Enjoy a (non-sugary) drink or two when appropriate, but stick with non-calorie beverages otherwise.
Strategy #10: Modify Your Plate
Sometimes you just want to enjoy what’s there without having to be picky, choosey, or limit your selections.
If that’s the case, here’s a tip that will absolutely keep you from overdoing it while keeping your calorie intake in check:
Use dessert sized plates.
Yep, just go ahead and grab a plate from the dessert line and then head over to the “dinner” line.
Controlling portion size just happens to be one of the best ways you can regulate calorie intake without necessarily giving up your favorite foods.
Smaller plate = smaller portions, and with smaller portions come fewer calories across the board.
As an added benefit, research has shown that people tend to overeat and eat beyond the point of “fullness” when large portions are in front of them. With the smaller plate option, you’ll likely be very content when you finish without “mindlessly” continuing to stuff yourself just because the food is there in front of you.
Strategy #11: If You Don’t Love It, Don’t Eat It
Learning to be selective will prove to be a highly-helpful skill when approaching holiday meals, parties, and buffet lines.
Simply put, you don’t need to eat everything that’s there. If we’re being completely honest, we probably don’t even really like everything that we toss on our plate and instead just include it because it’s available.
So, here’s another valuable suggestion: If you don’t absolutely love it, don’t eat it. As you go through the line or as foods are passed along the table, only dish out your absolute favorites while skipping over the selections that you can probably do without.
Stock Up on the “Good Stuff”
In addition to choosing your favorites, whatever veggies are available, piling them on your plate. They’re filling, will compliment the other items on your plate, and will easily help you adhere to the next rule.
Strategy #12: One and Done
Here’s a realistic insight:
Most of the weight we put on during the holiday season comes from the second (and sometimes third) helping, not the first.
And while it’s easy to go back in for more, a great way to cut out half the calories you’d normally eat at a holiday function is to limit yourself to only one helping.
So, go ahead and fill up your plate (remember, we’re using smaller plates), but once you’re done, you’re done.
Adhere to this one rule alone and you’ll automatically cut in half your calorie intake this holiday season.
Strategy #13: Make the “Announcement”
Here’s perhaps the easiest way to avoid going back for seconds.
My good friend Vince DelMonte hooked me this tip as while back, and as simple as it is, it works unbelievably well.
In fact, I actually did this at the dinner table the other night when out with friends, and it was easily the most comfortable social situation I’ve ever been in while sticking to my diet and moving forward to my goals.
When you arrive at a party or sit down to the table, let people know what you’ve committed to.
Something as simple as “Hey, just want to let everyone know, I’m on a mission to drop some pounds. This food looks amazing, and I plan to enjoy a full plate, but if you see me back in the buffet line, kick my butt into gear.”
People respect that and they’ll back you up.
From then on out, you never have to worry about people who “don’t know” your goals constantly offering you food, and beyond that, it’s a huge source of accountability for you.
I can guarantee that when you put this simple strategy into practice, you won’t even think of going in for seconds. It’s extremely easy to resist once you give people “expectations” for you to live up to.
Strategy #14: Chew, Chew, Chew
Now, I’m sure you’ve heard this one before, but let me ask you this.
Do you ever really make a conscious effort to take your time between mouthfuls? Probably not.
A good rule of thumb is to chew your food at least 20 times before swallowing while giving yourself a bit of a breather between bites.
Trust me, the food will still be there.
Eating slowly and with a high chew-count gives your body time to realize it’s getting full—in the end you’ll be just as content while consuming far fewer calories.
Consciously give it a try, and I guarantee it will make a difference.
Strategy #15: Compensate
Fact is, you’re going to consume more calories from November through January than you normally would at other times of year, even if its just moderately more—that’s reality.
A natural combatant would then be to increase your physical activity to burn more calories. Walk more, run more, throw in an extra gym session or stay a bit longer than usual—whatever you can do to be more active and burn more calories during this time will go a long way.
Strategy #16: Write It Down
In addition to the “announcement” tip above, another great way to establish accountability is to keep a food journal and daily exercise log.
While you may or may not be used to doing this, during times where it’s easy to go off track, keeping a journal of some sort is exceptionally helpful to keep you in check.
There’s just something about having something in writing and tracking your progress simply throughout the day that makes you that much more apt to “stick to it”.
Strategy #17: Serve Yourself “Half” First
Here’s an idea that can make the small plate method even more effective:
Serve yourself only “half” first, filling up the plate half-way and then taking time to sit, eat slowly, chew, and enjoy what’s there.
Then, you have the added bonus of being able to go back for the other half!
It’s funny how simple psychology works, but even though it’s the same amount, you just feel like you’re eating more when you’re able to “go back” for more.
Enjoy today’s post? Which was your favorite strategy? And what strategies do YOU personally use to help avoid weight gain at special holiday events and parties? Drop your comments below!
Talk to you in the comments section,
Joel
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